Villa D'Este near Rome has been named Europe's most beautiful garden.
The 16th-century gardens, grounds, fountains and fancy waterworks of this Renaissance jewel at Tivoli have beaten the great gardens of England, France and Germany, officials said Wednesday.
"Villa d'Este won not only because of the special qualities of its garden but also because of its accessibility, state of upkeep, modern and efficient services and ease with which information can be obtained," said Tivoli cultural heritage superintendent Anna Maria Affanni.
The European Great Garden competition was launched three years ago and Villa d'Este, the most majestic example of the Formal Italian Garden, won the right to compete for Italy last year.
The garden - declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001 - draws more than half a million visitors each year.
Villa d'Este recently underwent a major facelift although funds are still needed to restore the famous Bicchierone (Big Glass) fountain by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
Culture Minister Francesco Rutelli hailed the award and said the villa was "one of the most beautiful places in the world".
The prize, sponsored by US outdoor power tools giant Briggs and Stratton, will be awarded in Paris on June 18.
The spectacular fountain garden was created by the great architect and landscape gardener Pirro Ligorio for Cardinal Ippolito II D'Este (1509-72), a rich Renaissance prince, collector and patron of the arts.
Over the following 150 years, numerous additions and restorations were carried out.
One of the most original and famous features of the garden is the monumental Fontana dell'Organo, built around a water-operated organ.
Tivoli, an ancient town situated just outside Rome, also boasts the magnificent ruins of Hadrian's Villa - the largest villa of the Roman Empire.
